“Thanks to the constructive commitment demonstrated by both parties, negotiations on the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union are proceeding dynamically and in an effective manner”, stated Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Natalia Gherman, who is chief negotiator on behalf of Moldova, at a news conference on the occasion of the tenth round of negotiations, Info-Prim Neo reports. Natalia Gherman informed that the tenth round of talks on the Association Agreement took place concomitantly with the first round of negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union. For the first time ever the negotiations were attended by a representative from the Transnistrian region, who had an observer status. “This is an important step forward in the context of the confidence-building measures as well as of the overall reintegration process of Moldova”, stated Natalia Gherman. “Concrete progress was registered in negotiating the Agreement's preamble containing the objectives and general principles as well as the general institutional and final provisions. Remarkable progress was also achieved at the chapter of justice, freedom and security and this chapter is almost provisionally ready. We also advanced in negotiating economic and sectoral cooperation. In total, 23 out of 25 chapters have been provisionally closed, with the chapters concerning environment and taxation remaining”, said Natalia Gherman. EU's chief negotiator Miroslav Lajcak, Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans in the EU's External Action Service, remarked the good progress achieved in the recent negotiations. He announced that that was his last round, as he was taking a top post in the government of his native country, Slovakia, but promised to further support Moldova. “Moldova has a government that is determined to bring your country into the European Union and this government deserves to be supported, and I can assure you that Slovakia will be among its supporters”. The eleventh round is schedule for June 2012 in Brussels.